[AFRICAN-AMERICANA]. FOOTE, E. B. Science in Story; Sammy Tubbs, The Boy Doctor and ?Sponsie? The Troublesome Monkey. New York: Murray Hill Publishing, 1874. Small 8vos. Illustrated. 5 volumes. Publisher?s bindings, decoratively stamped in gilt and black on front boards and spines on 3 volumes, and black on front boards and spines on two volumes, yellow endleaves (general wear, soiling, bumping, scuffing, 4 volumes with bookplates of various owners, some soiling, toning, foxing in text). A good set of this uncommon title. PRESUMED FIRST EDITION OF THIS COMPLETE SERIALIZED TITLE, MIXED ISSUES. Volumes 1, 2, and 4 are in a more deluxe binding (in black and gilt over beveled boards) and with several pages printed in red and black; volume 2 and 5 are in an ordinary binding, only printed in black. This unusual story concerns an adventurous African-American boy, Sammy Tubbs, and his comic relief sidekick, ?Sponsie? the monkey. Foote shows Tubbs having various adventures, all the while learning about medicine and science (the book has various illustrations of parts of human anatomy), eventually having Tubbs becoming a physician There is even one illustration of Tubbs kissing a Caucasian girl, very taboo for its time. Despite his progressive themes in this series, Foote champions eugenics, which is a surprisingly ignorant stance for such an author. Measurements: 5 x 5 x 1?.